Manchester quartet Maruja have garnered a reputation as one of the most energetic and vibrant live acts on the scene. This reputation is well- deserved, and one that has been reinforced with every show they put on. Alice Beard got down for their second night at Salford’s White Hotel. Here, she talks you through the evening.
Maruja have spent the last four or so years perfecting their craft, proving themselves a mesmerising force on the live scene. Their two sold out Manchester shows are a testament to such drive and unrelenting commitment. I first saw Maruja when they played Dot to Dot in Nottingham in 2023 and from then on, I’ve been held firmly in their clutches. Something about the band’s rawness and apparent talent for chaos left me with a feeling I’ve been forced to chase ever since. From the moment they announced their line of spring shows, I knew this gig was one which surely could not be missed.
Following a dynamic and charged set by Mount Palomar, the crowd was already nearing boiling point. In the short wait for the main event whispers of keen anticipation soon filled the room, fluttering between each and every mouth and ear. For such an intimate and modestly sized venue, the spirit retained within the small walls seemed already irrepressible. The night felt set to be a very special one.
"Masters of their craft, this was all greeted by a tangible awe which had swept the audience"
To kick things off the band rolled straight into their latest single The Invisible Man, plucked from their upcoming EP Connla’s Well. Hayes’ percussion staggered from the silence with mounting purpose, striding forth alongside Buonaccorsi’s unrelenting bassline. All it took to further plunge into the murky depths of Maruja’s soundscape was Wilkinson’s rousing vocal delivery and some ever- dazzling sax motifs courtesy of Joe Carroll to finish it all off. Masters of their craft, this was all greeted by a tangible awe which had swept the audience. Within six short minutes, the band had managed to capture and distil their essence into its finest form. Something already so compelling and raw was taking place. In no time at all we were three tracks into the set with One Hand Behind the Devil. The heat was really starting to rise now.
Maruja are a band that don’t have to demand attention, it is simply given to them no questions asked. Their captivating ability to build upon a desolate landscape of sound is enough to snap even the most casual of listeners into action. The weaving of such tightly wound dissonance into a mass of intricate textures remains striking to new listeners and committed fans alike. Rage is one such track which proves this notion correct yet again. This is a piece which swells from serenity to ferocity with little room to breathe. Such ferocity is only reinforced live, inciting havoc from all faithful listeners. The crowd responded eagerly to this instrumental call to arms with ardour and intensity, leaving the band to marvel at the carnage swirling before them.
"The weaving of such tightly wound dissonance into a mass of intricate textures remains striking to new listeners and committed fans alike"
The storm did not rage forever though, and once again Maruja threw any preconceived notions to the ground with their ability to command the audience into a subtle sense of restraint. With tracks such as Thunder we watched as the tranquil flirted with chaos. It is not often a band manages to string filth, darkness and decay together with such notes of pure beauty. Something delicate and soft seems always intertwined within the grit and tension of their displays. It leaves a lingering sensation of something precious ever so slightly nudging at your fingertips. Â
As the night edged towards its close, so too did the darkness. Fervent battle cry Kakistocracy dug into the depths of every beating heart in the room, bringing light with its force and emotion. From the first tentative notes of this track the crowd became hypnotised, a feverish mass shifting from one foot to the other as they awaited the call up. All that was required was one brief, swift motion from Carroll for this mass to surge into a seething wave of unfading spirit. It is moments like these which capture Maruja’s resolutely self- effacing nature, the unfaltering mutual respect between audience and artists shining clearer than ever. The impact on the band themselves is evident, Wilkinson taking a moment to let their adoring fans know their devotion was not going unnoticed. In a fond farewell, the crowd slowed to a hush for the final track of the evening. This unreleased instrumental taken from their new EP knocked everyone completely sideways. The stillness stood in startling contrast to the cacophonous display seen mere moments previously, yet it remained a thing of beauty to witness. Summoning up a stirring scene of poignance, this wave of emotion swept and engulfed the crowd in shadow. In this moment, Maruja solidified that they really can do it all.
The band made sure to deliver on all fronts. ‘Might’ve been their best’ I heard someone declare as we reluctantly trundled out of the venue doors. This was a statement I can hardly disagree with. The band hurtled through their set with a turbulent energy which never faltered. They truly gave their all and so much more. If you ever find yourself presented with the opportunity to see Maruja live, make sure you snatch it up with a very firm grasp.
Alice Beard
Edited by Alice Beard
In- article images courtesy of Alice Beard